How Could You Use It?

Worksheet Description

This Persuasive Writing worksheet is centered on the rhetorical concept of ‘ethos’ and its application in persuasive arguments. It provides a definition of ethos, linking it to the concepts of character and ethics, and explains how ethos can be used to establish credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of the audience. Students are given scenarios such as wanting a later bedtime or convincing a teacher to stop assigning homework, and they must consider how to use ethos effectively in these contexts. The worksheet prompts students to think about the specific language that could be used to invoke ethos in their persuasive arguments.

The worksheet’s educational objective is to teach students how to employ ethos in persuasive writing effectively. It encourages students to think about how establishing one’s credibility or appealing to the credibility of others can strengthen an argument. By providing real-life scenarios, the worksheet makes the concept of ethos tangible and relatable. Students learn to articulate how they would use ethos in their arguments, enhancing their ability to persuade and communicate effectively.